tasty bits for your iPhone

VolumeSnap

Fresh off the heels of our Camera+ 1.2.1 release, we’ve just submitted a new update to Apple for approval. Unlike our previous updates where they’ve included several new features and bug fixes, this update includes just one new feature. But it’s a big one.

Here are the release notes:

VolumeSnap ~ use your iPhone’s volume controls to snap photos!

Using Camera+ now feels just like a real camera. Your photos can be sharper because you can now hold your iPhone steadier with two hands instead of fumbling around for the shutter button on screen.

In addition, you can plug your iPhone earphones in and use the volume buttons on them as a remote shutter control.

So did Apple have a change of heart as a result? Hopefully, and we’ll soon see if this is really the case.

Beware that there’s absolutely no guarantee that this update will be approved and if VolumeSnap is something you really want in Camera+, then I advise you to hit-up Apple and keep the pressure on. It’d probably be a good idea to reference this blog post in your message. If it’s something you really want in the app, spread the word and encourage others to do so, too.

I’d like to point out that we were completely open about this with Apple this time and we pointed the past rejection out in the review notes. I’d also like to point out that the way we implemented VolumeSnap doesn’t rely on any private methods or functions, but does rely on something that’s not documented, along with some pretty clever engineering by Karl.

So hopefully Camera+ 1.3 soon gets Apple’s blessing and all of you can start snapping pics in a way that feels just like a real camera. We’ve been using the feature internally for several months and the one thing we will guarantee is that once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to the on-screen shutter button.

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Vers nice App at all.thx for this product. But there is one thing which is missing in my opinion: thr GEO tag isn’t saved with the image after exporting the image to the iPhone Camera Roll. I would be very happy if this Feature is Part of One of your next releases. Thx a lot.

Golly, I sure hope this makes it in! Reading from the top of the entry, I thought, “This is the money shot! I’m gonna buy it right NOW!” Imagine my disappointment to learn that it may (probably) be rejected…

The one thing I’ve disliked about using the camera on my iPhone has been the lack of a shutter button. Makes for some awkward death-grips trying to extend your arm out to get the perfect angle, but not being able to use both hands due to the positioning.

If Apple approves this feature, oh man. That would be awesome. That, and a DropBox sync that retains the EXIF and GPS data would be grand!

I think this is a great usability feature for the camera on the iPhone. In summary of my feedback to Apple on this, I also suggest to the developers. If you are changing the nature of a hardware control provide a warning to the user. Similar to the “flashlight” LED camera flash apps have to display a warning about battery life for accessing the flash in that manner. Let the user know the external volume controls have been hijacked and the condition when they will be returned to normal operation.

I can tell you I don’t use Camera+ now, but this feature is the point that would surely sell me on it. Good luck with the App approval.

I noticed this feature in the promo movie, and it is the main reason I purchased camera+. I’m so excited to be able to take photos while holding the phone with one hand—the on-screen button is incredibly un-ergonomic. Please, Apple, don’t delay!